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Re: Latos...could he become an ace this year??

I guess it depends on your definition of "ace". There's a whole thread discussing what an "ace" is over on ORG. If you see "ace" as the first starter in the rotation, then it will be Johnny.

If your "ace" is the stopper, the guy they trust with the ball for the team's best chance at getting a win, then I think the season will tell.

Regardless, this starting rotation is filled with potential (which we saw last year). Let's hope they can put together a year like they did last year. Having the likes of Cueto, Latos, Bailey, Chapman, and Arroyo (and plenty more capable arms fighting for a spot) is a good problem to have.

Re: Latos...could he become an ace this year??

You could make the argument Latos is already an "ace" type pitcher. He pitched an entire season without missing a start, pitching in one of the worst ballparks for a pitcher, lost only four games and ended with a 3.48 ERA. Both his WAR (4.2) and WHIP (1.161) finished just outside the top ten of all MLB pitchers. I don't think being the #1 starter has anything to do with being an "ace", since a lot of teams have no ace and several teams have more than one. I guess it's all in the definition. With Cueto and Latos, we at least have two young guys on the verge of being that kind of pitchers.

"I talked to an advance scout that told me if Joey Votto and Albert Pujols were on the same team he'd advise his team to do the unthinkable...pitch around Votto to get to Pujols." - Buster Olney, ESPN

Re: Latos...could he become an ace this year??

Is he going to stop throwing a fit on the mound in series deciding games? Remains to be seen. It just depends on his maturity. . . and probably his wife's too.

True ... True ... and True. Game 5 against San Fran was a mental blow up, nothing else. He got squeezed a little and threw a fit like a 5 year old. The ump didn't like it and squeezed him even more.

I'm not a twitter follower myself, by my wife is. Lots of posts from the Latos clan that resemble the following "Mat just ate 22 tacos." "Mat just finished his 6th Philly Cheesesteak". Way to take care of yourself in the offseason. Sounds like he is on the Austin Kearns plan.

Re: Latos...could he become an ace this year??

^

He definitely needs to work on his maturity, especially dealing with the strike zone. This is not uncommon with major league pitchers though, there are many hot heads out there. I think Mat will cool it down with time, and develop into a very good pitcher (not that he already isn't).

If I were an athlete, or someone under the spotlight, I would not subject myself to questions about my loyalty/work ethic via twitter. It makes me wonder how supportive he is of Dallas's twitter antics, considering he doesn't even have a twitter himself. I think it's a bit ridiculous if you ask me. Just let em play ball...

Re: Latos...could he become an ace this year??

I know it's easy to ruminate on the bad and forget about the good, but remember Latos is the same guy that mowed down that Giants lineup in game #1 (in OCTOBER).

He started off great in game #5 as well, it wasn't until the 5th inning where he gave up those runs (6 to be exact). Yes, that inning was dark spot, on an otherwise good season in Cincinnati, however (in hindsight) we can't just sulk over the bad.

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